Discus - Recording my Journey

[Hidan]

So after asking a 100 questions here, collecting all the information I could and being really patient (not usually a quality I posses), I removed all the sand, bought some tetras/rasboras, corries waited for 6 odd weeks to ensure they are all healthy and now my Discus have finally arrived.

First I QT'd them for a day, so they could get over the stress of the travel, as advised by the breeder
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And finally I moved them into the main tank.
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I asked the breeder who is a distant relative (so I trust him completely) to send me 3 of each of the different varieties he had in stock.
From what I know, I have 3 Golden Melons, 3 Blue Diamonds, 3 Cobolds. Not sure what the other 3 are. Maybe you guys can help identify them. Only regret is that I don't have any red Discus (might pick up a pair at a later date, assuming everything goes well)

They are looking spectacular in the main tank but as expected they are hiding behind the log, so its been difficult to get good pictures of them as they hide whenever they can see anyone, though they come out and roam, when we are far from the tank, though still will only move as a group.
I am just waiting for them to start eating, after which I will be happy.

[Second Hand Pat]

Hi Hidan, it would have been best to have QT the discus for six weeks before moving them into the main tank. Be sure to watch the ammonia as you will most likely have a min-cycle so keep up with daily 50% or better water changes. Ask the breeder what he was feeding. I see the three cobalts, one blue diamond (barless), three yellows (golden melons?) and not sure about the three showing the strongest barring.
Pat

[Hidan]

I have been doing daily water changes, which should keep the ammonia in check. I didn't QT them for 6 weeks as I fully trust the breeder and know the fish are without disease. Its a calculated chance.
The breeder was feeding them a beef heart mix. I will be preparing the same and start feeding them that from today. Sadly some family emergency made it impossible for me to do the same earlier.


Three yellows (golden melons?),
Well he told me they were golden melons (what is the official name of the yellows?), there are 3 Blue Diamonds, only one is clearly seen in the photos. One other has the same light blue coloration and another has a dark blue color both with no barring.
Of the remaining 3, one can be seen next to the blue diamond. It has some nice designs on its blue colors. No idea what variety it is (help identifying the breed would be appreciated), but I absolutely love it. The remaining two are darkish blue with strong barring, which aren't the best looking and I have no idea about the variety (maybe an expert here can help me identify them).

[Second Hand Pat]

I would ask the breeder what the three unknowns are. At this age it's hard to tell, perhaps a type of turquoise. There are a variety of names for yellow based discus and it tends to be breeder specific.

As for QT did the tetras, rasboras and cories come from the same source? When we QT fish it is generally done for six weeks. This allows the fish to recover from shipping, begin to eat and regain their strength without being exposed to stuff from other fish. It also allow us to assess the fish for any issues and do something about it during the QT process.
Pat

[Hidan]

I would ask the breeder what the three unknowns are. At this age it's hard to tell, perhaps a type of turquoise. There are a variety of names for yellow based discus and it tends to be breeder specific.

As for QT did the tetras, rasboras and cories come from the same source? When we QT fish it is generally done for six weeks. This allows the fish to recover from shipping, begin to eat and regain their strength without being exposed to stuff from other fish. It also allow us to assess the fish for any issues and do something about it during the QT process.
Pat
The tetras and Rasboras were in the tank for over 6 weeks, most have been there between 2-3 months.

I couldn't QT the Discus for long as the QT tank was placed on the floor in the sitting room and the discus were panicking whenever anyone walked near the tank. It also wouldn't have enough filtration to keep up the water conditions pristine for 6 weeks. So it was a bit of a judgement call, adding them in quickly.
I do understand that it was a chance and I am hoping it does not backfire on me.

In other fantastic news I finally got my beef heart mix prepared and that got the discus out and eating. As soon as it hit the water they came out to eat. So hopefully getting them to eat is now a thing of the past.
Though I would like to get them eating pellets as well so I can feed them beef heart in the evenings and pellets in the morning.

And now I await them getting used to our presence and the noise of footsteps, television and doors opening/closing and continue to swim about freely while we are around. They currently come out when we are all far enough from the tank, but as long as they can see us (seem to have a surprisingly great eyesight), they will only move all together.

[Second Hand Pat]

Hope it all works out Hidan and glad the fish are eating. That is a huge relief I'm sure.
Pat

[Hidan]

So checked with the breeder who stated that the remaining 3 are Brown San Merah.
So I have 2 Blue Diamonds, 3 Cobalts, 3 Golden Melons & 3 Brown San Merah. Last one is the blue with the design, which I am not sure of the variety. Will ask the breeder when I can.

Discus continue to go nuts whenever I feed Beef heart (they really love it). They are now a lot more comfortable and were happily swimming around yesterday, though they do get spooked when the television is on.
One of the San Merah has darkened his color and was bullying everyone else. From what I read about Discus, I am guessing he is trying to establish himself as the Alpha.

So far so good.

[Hidan]

Discus have now undergone a complete transformation. From cowardly fish hiding behind the log (when I got them), they now come flying to the front to beg for food, everytime I approach the tank. Starting to remind me why I absolutely adore cichlids.

They are also highly aggressive eaters and just push aside all the Tetras, Rasboras, Dwarf Gourami, Ram out of the way and take all the food, relegating the others to the scraps. A few of the Discus now eat some pellets, even though they don't seem to like them very much.

Only have one worry, which is that I have seen a couple of them rub their bodies against the log a few times, so a bit concerned that it could be something.
Have started feeding them thrice a day with beef heart and usually do daily 50% water changes. Hoping to see a growth spurt the Discus coloring up even more.

I want to add one pair of Red Discus to the tank, ideally one with a pattern (snakeskin or pigeonblood were what I was considering) though have to decide which and then find a breeder/dealer I can trust to get me a quality pair at a reasonable price.

[Hidan]

My Dwarf Gourami and German Blue Ram. Both are beauties and doing well with the discus.
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Both are beauties are seem to be getting along great with the Discus.

And yes they were in the tank for a while before I introduced the Discus.

[lastflea]

Those yellows look lovely Hidan, and the RamGourami has lovely colour too. I read PB's are difficult for first timers, and pepper quite easily. Some aren't bothered, or quite like it, but for that reason I'll be giving them a miss on the first attempt with discus.

Any chance of a full tank shot?

[Second Hand Pat]

Those yellows look lovely Hidan, and the RamGourami has lovely colour too. I read PB's are difficult for first timers, and pepper quite easily. Some aren't bothered, or quite like it, but for that reason I'll be giving them a miss on the first attempt with discus.

Any chance of a full tank shot?

Hi Rob, check your source of PBs being difficult. I have not hear that ( could be dated info). The PBs breed today tend to be free of pepper but might show some pepper when stressed or blending in to a dark background.

Hi Hidan, glad to hear everyone is coming around and sounds like you are enjoying your fish. :D

Pat

[Hidan]

Any chance of a full tank shot?
Will get some pics tomorrow.


On a different note, struggling to keep the algae under control, as the tank gets a bit of sunlight as well as has a tube on the whole day. Have 9 Algae eaters (4 Otos, 4 Siamese and 1 Bristlenose) and all of them come out to eat beef heart instead of eating the algae. Only effective algae eater is me with the scrubber.

Been struggling to find a quality aquarium light as either the lights are too weak for a four foot tank or too bloody expensive (as they are imported and hence overpriced). Will try and build a light and add a timer so I control the hours the light stays on. Hopefully soon.


Hi Hidan, glad to hear everyone is coming around and sounds like you are enjoying your fish.
Absolutely loving it. I sit by the tank everyday and the discus will come to the front of the tank and stare at me (probably wondering where the food is). Can't wait till they put on some more size.

[lastflea]

Sun light and tubes on all day will definitely be contributing. Timers are cheap and exactly what you need. Can you get curtains or a blind for the window?

[Hidan]

As promised here are some pics of the tank.

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The full tank along with the stand.

And some additional pictures of the fish.
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[Hidan]

Sun light and tubes on all day will definitely be contributing. Timers are cheap and exactly what you need. Can you get curtains or a blind for the window?
I have curtains. However the temperature is fluctuating between 41-47 Celsius & I get direct sunlight, so light comes through the curtains. It should get better once the summer passes.

I am sure timers are cheap, but struggling to find any quality aquarium light that has those features. Lots of quality aquarium lights available for smaller tanks, but few LFSs are importing quality lights for a 4 foot tank and the few that have it aren't that good or are ridiculously overpriced.
Might have to look into building my own and will add a timer to it. Till then I will have to make do with what I have. Though still cant figure out why all my algae eaters dine on beef heart and not algae.

[brewmaster15]

I have curtains. However the temperature is fluctuating between 41-47 Celsius & I get direct sunlight, so light comes through the curtains. It should get better once the summer passes.

I am sure timers are cheap, but struggling to find any quality aquarium light that has those features. Lots of quality aquarium lights available for smaller tanks, but few LFSs are importing quality lights for a 4 foot tank and the few that have it aren't that good or are ridiculously overpriced.
Might have to look into building my own and will add a timer to it. Till then I will have to make do with what I have. Though still cant figure out why all my algae eaters dine on beef heart and not algae.

You should be able to find a timer that plugs into the outlet and you plug the light into it.They work with anylights...

something like this..
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Intermatic-15-Amp-Plug-In-Lamp-and-Appliance-Timer-White-TN111K/205478759?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CBase%7CD27E%7C27-2_WIRING_DEVICES%7CNA%7CPLA%7c71700000034239053%7c 58700003946878363%7c92700031954447745&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhoLF4tKu2wIVgchkCh0KpwZdEAQYAyAB EgI0gPD_BwE&dclid=CIbnluXSrtsCFU8INwodFk4HSA

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You can then set it to be on only a few hours a day when you are there.
hth
al

[Hidan]

Will look into timers. They are probably available here, but will have to search for them as they won't be available with the regular electrical shops (We don't have home depot like massive places as yet).

How many hours should the lights be on and is it a problem for the Discus long term health if I put the lights on when I get home at 7.30pm or so, after it has been off for a few hours prior to that?

[brewmaster15]

Discus really do not need any set number of hours with the lights on. What I usually do is leave the ambient room lighting on in the day when i am not around much. I then set my timers for a few hours at night 7-10pm usually and early morning 4-7 am when I am up and about So they get about 6 hours lights on, and the day lighting in the room. Thats more than enough for discus. You may have to adjust that for plants depending on the plants and light spectrums and lumens.

al

[Hidan]

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So my brown San Merah has found a perfect hiding place whenever I do water changes. He thinks he is a chameleon.

Its hilarious coz his color goes back to normal 15 mins after I finish with the water change.
Got to admire nature and the ability of fish to adapt to their surroundings when they sense danger.

[lastflea]

Thanks for posting the tank shot. Looks great!

The timers Al posted above are what I was thinking. Maybe it's just the camera, but the tubes look very bright, so will definitely be contributing to algae if left on all day.

Is the San Merah acting completely normally aside from the water changes? This would be worrying me he was somehow unwell, especially as he's the only one that does this. I really don't know, but just for information would be good to know if you, or anyone, thinks this might an indication of sickness.

Rob :)

[Hidan]

Is the San Merah acting completely normally aside from the water changes? This would be worrying me he was somehow unwell, especially as he's the only one that does this. I really don't know, but just for information would be good to know if you, or anyone, thinks this might an indication of sickness.
Well he is the bully of the tank, so am not worried about him in the least. He only does that during water changes and goes back to his bullying act after 15-20 mins.

I don't think my lights are bright enough, to be honest, but yeah I think they are on too long. Working on making a new light system for the tank, ideally that will have a timer and a dimmer.

Also got some nice pics of the fish as they are now unafraid of me and will happily eat from my hands.

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[brewmaster15]

They.look like a nice group of discus.. look healthy and alert.
I know that many people have bright lights in their tanks and discus will get used to them but its a stress factor for some. These are a fish that in the wild like to hang out in the shadows of fallen trees.. that tells you alot about what they like.:)
hth,
al

[Hidan]

From what I have read Discus tanks need around 1-1.5 Watts per gallon. So as per that my tank would need about 100 Watts of lights. Is this correct?

I currently have two LED tubes of 20 Watts each installed (so 40 watts total). I only leave one on, during the day and will only switch on the second one when I am sitting in front of the tank watching the fish. Even both together they don't illuminate the tank well, especially as you go lower into the 2 foot depth. In addition both are mounted at the back, so the front of the tank receives limited light from them.
Was hoping to buy a ready made aquarium light for the tank, that has some blue, red and green LED's to make the Discus colors pop, but its been quite a challenge.

[lastflea]

Wow, they're beautiful. The colours are really popping. What are you feeding them, out of interest?

Re the lighting. Where are you based? Can you import?

[lastflea]

They.look like a nice group of discus.. look healthy and alert.

Al, I've been puzzled for a while about something, and what you've said there prompts a question. It seems, particularly with the wilds, that despite showing stress bars I read lots of positive comments on discus. So are they only an indication of stress, or could they showing for other reasons? Thanks.

Rob :)

[Hidan]

Some Discus just have bars, other varieties don't have them.

I'd have to go out on a limb here as I am an amateur with Discuss, but Stress bars probably mean that bars either appear on a fish that doesn't have them or if it does, the bars get a lot more pronounced.

So in my fishes, the Brown San Merahs have the bars and I fathom they will have them permanently. The Cobolts have always had the bars, though from pics of fully grown cobolts, they may eventually lose them.
However none of the bars showing on my fishes are stress bars.


This weekend there is a party at my place. Going to be the Discus's first real test. Am interested to see if a crowd of people in their room sitting, chatting, eating will scare them or will they be brave and curious enough to come out and swim around carefree.